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Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Putting my finger on it

Recently there's an issue in the newspapers regarding the use of firearms in National Service (NS). Most parents are of course 'concerned' about the issue because its a government directive therefore they can't really be outspoken against it. The NS lads are of course, pretty enthusiastic about wielding fully loaded M16's because its probably the only chance they'll ever get to realizing their action-hero fantasies. It reminds me, however, of Kalashnikov wielding Iraqi teenagers in a dusty run down city in the war that is ever decreasing in its popularity.

Which brings me to a very interesting question that everyone's subconscious is asking: There is something wrong with this picture. I can't quite put my finger on it, but what is it?

Some of the more informed parents are of course asking why can't they fire blanks instead of live ammunition. Blanks are commonly used in military training maneuvers for safety reasons, because even blanks are not entirely safe and can kill at close range.

Here's the answer. If Malaysians cannot even control themselves on the road by following simple traffic rules and etiquette operating and maneuvering a motor vehicle in the safest way possible, how is it that they can be trusted with operating a lightweight, 5.56 mm caliber, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle loaded with live rounds?

Well, there's a lot more to it than that but I want you as a reader to just think about that. There's a saying that you shouldn't run if you don't know how to walk. I guess we've magically skipped the basics and started running blindly towards the future in the name of rapid development. Is it worth it?